Court orders removal of images of Mubarak from public places

A CAIRO court has ordered the names and portraits of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and family members to be removed from all public places, including 549 schools.

The court said yesterday that since Egyptians had become aware of his corruption and abuse of power, the country must extirpate relics of his 30-year rule. Lawyer Samir Sabri petitioned the court to rename these sites for “martyrs” slain during the uprising.

Although his transfer to a military hospital outside the capital has been ordered, Mr Mubarak (82) has asked the ruling generals to permit him to remain in the glass pyramid-shaped hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. In his luxury suite he is cared for by staff who served him as president and visited daily by his wife and daughters-in-law.

He backed up his request by refusing to eat or take medication, a tactic he employed before he was taken into custody, causing a heart episode.

In Cairo, detained former parliamentary speaker Fathi Sorour is being investigated for involvement in the February 2nd assault on Tahrir Square where thousands were staging a sit-in and calling for Mr Mubarak’s removal.

Many protesters were killed by gunfire and by stave and whip-wielding hooligans, some riding horses and camels. Mr Mubarak’s imprisoned sons, Alaa and Gamal, and business tycoon Ibrahim Kamel, are also accused of organising this operation, dubbed the “Battle of the Camel”.

While Mr Mubarak’s allies sit in prison, figures who prospered during his rule but backed the uprising are benefiting from his removal, including Coptic Christians who had adopted a low profile and complained of discrimination and marginalisation.

Telecom magnate Naguib Sawiris – who has acted as an intermediary between generals and revolutionaries – has formed a liberal party, Free Egyptians. Coptic academic Samer Soliman is a leading figure in the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. Copts also are playing key roles in other secular parties.

Thousands of Copts joined Muslims in the protests that brought down Mr Mubarak, whose regime encouraged Muslim radicals, known as Salafis, to intimidate Christians and challenge the moderate Muslim Brotherhood.

Copts took part in the uprising with the aim of creating an Egypt where all citizens are equal. Copt-Muslim relations have improved but confrontations continue to take place and tensions have risen ahead of Easter celebrations.

Clashes took place on Wednesday in Minya province when Muslims attempted to demolish a speed bump built by Copts. The authorities fear violence could erupt today in Qena province, where Salafis are due to rally against the appointment of Emad Mikhail, a Copt, as governor. Some object to him because he served as a police general under Mr Mubarak, others because of his faith.

Protesters have blocked the railway line between Cairo and Aswan and threatened to cut electricity supplies to the Red Sea coast. The government said action would be taken against illegal protests that threatened public safety and utilities.